Please note on your calendar another film next month: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs at Beacon Hill Branch of The Seattle Public Library on July 31. It starts at 5:30, and it’s free and open to the public. (Note: It will be shown in the Community Meeting Room as part of a food-themed movie series at our branch this summer.)

Ice cream at the shop in the movie Sweet Dreams. Photo by Lisa Fruchtman.On Friday, June 19, Beacon Hill Meaningful Movies will celebrate its first birthday. All neighbors are invited to enjoy the special movie Sweet Dreams, indulge in free popcorn and free drumsticks. Movies are screened at the Garden House (2336 15th Ave. S., across from the Shell station). Doors open at 6:15 for neighbors to chat and movies start at 7 p.m. sharp.

The movie series got its start in 2014 with a Small Sparks grant from the Department of Neighborhoods which funded the first six movies (paying for rent, screening rights, posters and popcorn). Since then community support from local business Joe McKinstry Construction Company and donations from moviegoers have funded the program. Our local series is a program of Beacon Arts and an affiliate of the Meaningful Movies Project based in Wallingford.

Three neighbors, Devin Hollingsworth, Jonis Davis and Christina Olson steer the project, hunting for great documentaries, inviting resource folks to the discussion circles that follow the movies, and searching for grants to sustain the program. They report that they have welcomed over 500 people in their first year from as many as 34 zip codes. Olson says, “It was meant to be a local movie series, an opportunity for neighbors to meet and discuss social, economic and environmental issues spurred by the movies. We’ve had some great discussions, and met some wonderful local film makers.”

Sweet Dreams, June’s movie, tells the story of the hard work of reconciliation after the Rwandan genocide. Women from all ethnic groups form a drumming performance troupe, and then move on to form a cooperative to build a business. They choose to bring ice cream to Rwanda for the first time. According to Christina Olson, “The movie chronicles the difficult road to making a dream come true. This is a movie that captures the great spirit of women who dare to dream.”

The Station Coffee House has been serving up coffee and supporting neighborhood arts for five years now (can you believe it?). To celebrate, they are hosting a free, all-ages Block Party on Saturday, June 20 from 2-9 p.m., with local food and beer, kids’ and families’ activities, live performances and more.

A small selection of the acts to be featured includes: Prometheus Brown, Gabriel Teodros, Otow Gang, Spekulation, Julie C, King Khasm, Jusmoni, Tulsi, Seattle Capoeira Center, The Fandango Project and many more. DJs will include WD4D, Ear Dr. Umz and Absolute Madman.

The Station is located at 2533 16th Ave. S., across from El Centro de la Raza.

Looking for something to do this weekend and next? All-ages events are scheduled nearby in Rainier Valley each of the next two weekends: one to raise money to help those in need, and one to celebrate the printed word.